misguided intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'misguided intentions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has acted with the intention of doing good, but their actions have had an unintended harmful result. For example: "The politician's misguided intentions led to a rise in unemployment levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Upon completion, the recipient can claim their gift, or in the case of misguided intentions, they can choose to get an Amazon.com gift card instead.

TechCrunch

Misguided intentions -- more often than not -- make for hollow victories.

Huffington Post

The difficulties in defining the word "kindness" often result in a confused mess of misunderstandings and misguided intentions.

Huffington Post

We Are Not Safer in Jail I served years in jail because of my heroin use and have heard countless parents with good, but misguided, intentions make statements like: "At least I know where my baby is," or "at least they're safe" when they're in jail.

Huffington Post

With misguided intentions, education can sow seeds of hatred and discrimination.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sergeant Bergdahl had left his outpost with the misguided intention of hiking to a larger base so he could report concerns about problems in his unit, General Dahl said.

The New York Times

But even a guy who catcalls with the misguided intention to compliment is participating in and perpetuating a system in which women are sex objects simply by existing.

Huffington Post

Misguided Their intentions are good, but they are idiots.

The Guardian

Misguided edgy/arty intentions with offensive results.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of course, and in this case misguided, but the intentions were always for the best.

The Guardian - Sport

But by the time the story is told, you have come to see the school as a microcosm of all the good intentions, misguided theories and veiled prejudice that have made equality so elusive for so long.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "misguided intentions" with specific verbs to add depth to your writing. Examples include: "driven by misguided intentions", "motivated by misguided intentions".

Common error

Avoid using "misguided intentions" when the actions are driven by malice or a deliberate desire to harm. "Misguided intentions" implies a lack of awareness or flawed judgment, not malevolence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misguided intentions" functions as a noun phrase, where "misguided" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "intentions". It describes the quality of the intentions, indicating they are flawed or misdirected. Ludwig AI validates the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misguided intentions" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes actions rooted in good intentions but leading to unfavorable outcomes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English. While not overly common, occurring with 'Uncommon' frequency, it is found across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily within the News & Media context. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from "malicious intentions", as it emphasizes flawed judgment rather than deliberate harm. Consider using alternatives like "misguided plans" or "flawed reasoning" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misguided plans

Focuses more on the specific actions or roadmap rather than the underlying motivations.

incorrect intentions

Emphasizes the factual inaccuracy or inappropriateness of the intentions.

misguided notions

Highlights the flawed beliefs or assumptions driving the actions.

misguided reasons

Focuses on the flawed logic or justification behind the actions.

misguided initiatives

Highlights the projects, plan or programs that are misguided.

bad intentions

Indicates malicious or harmful underlying motivations, a stronger negative connotation.

misguided expectations

Focuses on unrealistic or inappropriate anticipations.

misguided suggestions

Highlights advice or recommendations that are misguided.

spurious intentions

Highlights the false or illegitimate intentions.

misguided opinions

Emphasizes the flawed viewpoints or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "misguided intentions" in a sentence?

You can use "misguided intentions" to describe situations where someone's actions, though meant to be helpful or beneficial, have unintended negative consequences. For example: "The government's "misguided intentions" led to an economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "misguided intentions"?

Alternatives include "misguided plans", "incorrect intentions", or "flawed reasoning" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "misguided intentions" and "bad intentions"?

"Misguided intentions" refer to actions that are well-meaning but ultimately flawed, whereas "bad intentions" imply a deliberate desire to cause harm or act maliciously.

Is it always negative to have "misguided intentions"?

Yes, the term "misguided intentions" always carries a negative connotation, as it implies that the intended outcome was not achieved and may have even worsened the situation. However, it acknowledges that the initial motivation was not malicious.